Touring/Live Drummers- what's in your monitors?

[Jeremy Bender]

Who, what and how much are in your monitors? Also do you prefer in-ear or wedge type of set up?

[sticksnstonesrus]

I would love to try the in-ear (Ultimate Ears) but they are way pricey.

So far, I've been stuck using the house wedges and or block-monitors.

My preference is vocals, and a level mix of guitars and bass. I hate leaving a show with my tinnitus clanging away so I usually make it a point to let the sound guy know to turn it down in my monitors...for some reason sound board ops around here think you want the levels on "11" all the time.

I do however, have in ear iPod headphones, which sound great for my mp3 player..if that is any indication of how in-ear monitors will be...I'm definitely going that route (eventually).

[hungrypo]

if the venue is small enough i like to have nothing but vocals in the monitor and the rest of the instruments balance their stage volume. in these settings i may also ask for some kick drum so i dont feel i have to over-play the pedal.

this weekend we're playing a large theatre (700+ seats). last night i asked for vox, sax, guitar (because his amp was pointed away from me), and the kick drum. the i could hear the bass well enough to not have to muddy up my monitor mix by asking for it there...

[masonni]

I use the Ultimate Ears in-ears. I will NEVER go back to a stage monitor, I HATE those!!!
With in-ears you can controle the volume, and my ears never hurt or ring after a gig.

Most of the time I have bass, vox and maybe a little guitar and drums mixed in. But mostly Bass and Vox.

[bermuda]

I use GK UltraPhones and 2 ButtKickers with Weird Al. Because I work to tracks/clicks for about 2/3 of the show, my mix is more about what I don't hear - hence the major iso phones - and my mix also changes for every song. But typically I've got kick, my vocal, group vocals, guitar, and video & sampler feeds. Occasionally I have keyboard in the mix as needed for cues. No bass.

Most drummers would think I'd want more instruments, but it quickly clutters the things I need to hear... my mix is very much on a 'need to know basis'.

Bermuda

[sticksnstonesrus]

I use GK UltraPhones and 2 ButtKickers with Weird Al. Because I work to tracks/clicks for about 2/3 of the show, my mix is more about what I don't hear - hence the major iso phones - and my mix also changes for every song. But typically I've got kick, my vocal, group vocals, guitar, and video & sampler feeds. Occasionally I have keyboard in the mix as needed for cues. No bass.

Most drummers would think I'd want more instruments, but it quickly clutters the things I need to hear... my mix is very much on a 'need to know basis'.

Bermuda

Are you changing the mix on your own monitor panel or is that tech'd?

Do you think you could pull off the show without monitors? How about without clicks?

So many of us exist without. I know I would love to have a click to follow live and be able to adjust an in-ear system as the show is happening....

[slingerland755]

It used to be EVERYTHING....that's why I have tinnitus 24/7. I had all of my cymbals and snare drum for cryin' out loud (not smart). Try to get by with the minimum and wear ear protection.

[bermuda]

Are you changing the mix on your own monitor panel or is that tech'd?

Do you think you could pull off the show without monitors? How about without clicks?

So many of us exist without. I know I would love to have a click to follow live and be able to adjust an in-ear system as the show is happening....

I have my own mixer and make the changes myself, same for the sampler. It's a digital mixer, so I just cursor to the next song and hit enter. Faders move, channels mute & un-mute, eq changes. Life was much harder when I had a Mackie and had to make physical changes, and the current show would be extremely difficult if I relied on a monitor person like I used to10+ years ago.

There's quite a bit of video and sequences, so there's no possibility to do the show without very specific monitoring and something to synch to. The clicks aren't there for tempo - they keep everything sounding & looking right.

Bermuda

[fat in the middle]

I usually like to have who ever is leading the majority of the songs rythmically. For example; guitar [not lead]. then I have the vocals as its the road map. Some kick as well to keep me balanced. It does depend on the show.

[sticksnstonesrus]

I have my own mixer and make the changes myself, same for the sampler. It's a digital mixer, so I just cursor to the next song and hit enter. Faders move, channels mute & un-mute, eq changes. Life was much harder when I had a Mackie and had to make physical changes, and the current show would be extremely difficult if I relied on a monitor person like I used to10+ years ago.

There's quite a bit of video and sequences, so there's no possibility to do the show without very specific monitoring and something to synch to. The clicks aren't there for tempo - they keep everything sounding & looking right.

Bermuda

Kudos my bro'. Gotta love technology, huh?

I recently took my kids to the circus (Barnum and Bailey's) and found myself paying most of my attention to the pit drummer (of course). From my vantage point, he was going with video sequencing too. Definitely had a video monitor so he could see close-ups of the acts so he could punch as needed.

Overall, I was really impressed. He pretty much played for an hour or so straight with a 15 minute intermission and then back to it for another half-hour or so. Not saying Al Yankovich is comparable to the circus (lol) but in terms of the drumming aspect, it seems as if the audio to visual connection defintely presides in both.

Good on ya'.

[xush]

I prefer IEMS, but in a pinch floor wedges will do. I like a little bit of everything except drums in my mix.

[PQleyR]

If I'm lucky enough to have monitors at a gig, I have everything that's going through the PA. Once I did a gig where they just gave me bass, and when we played some songs we hadn't done before, I had no idea where I was at all.

[bermuda]

If I'm lucky enough to have monitors at a gig, I have everything that's going through the PA. Once I did a gig where they just gave me bass, and when we played some songs we hadn't done before, I had no idea where I was at all.

If you can get only thing in your mix... get the rhythm guitar. You'll have a much better sense of the song (than just getting bass or lead guitar) and chances are the timing will be easier to follow.

On songs where I don't use a click, I rely on the guitar player to keep me in line. :)

Bermuda

[rendezvous_drummer]

When I play a gig, I only want the rhythm guitar and vocals and kick drum.

[DaveyBoy]

Bass and vocals. Bass is a constant but i use vocals to landmark certain parts.

[Wile E. Coyote]

A little bit of everything except the drumset, which is right in front of me. Everything louder than the drumset played acoustically is too loud.
No in-ears for me, thanks a lot. If playing on seqs or electronics, just a pair or headphones with the click or the seq will work.
Plus... -25Db earplugs.

If you want some piece of advice:
1. Don't expect the monitoring to sound like a CD. First of all you have to play like in a CD. And second... why? Does it sound like a CD in you reahearsing room?

2. Avoid unnecessary volume. Just the drumset itself is a very loud instrument. Having even more on the monitors??? Obviously no cymbals and no hi hat! You'll avoid unnecessary feedbacks and sound techs will love you for that. Having only SD and BD will make you overplay on toms and cymbals, since you will suddenly not hear them.

3. There's a lot of sound pressure on a stage. Try to not add more to it. And protect your ears if you want to be able to hear anything after some years. Plus... Feedbacks come when you just don't expect them. If you get a high pitch feedback in a loud monitor you can get a tinitus or even lose some hearing. Try that and tell me about the wonderful feeling when you get off stage without having played against the monitor volume and with fresh ears when you take the earplugs off.

Believe me, there is no need to have it even louder than what it is acoustically. I remember having a big gig (like 8 or 10.000 in the audience, big venue) and the monitor technician looking astonished at me "Can you really hear the monitor??? It's on the minimum!" "Of course I can... It's right behind my head! How couldn't I???"
You'll be a lot more relaxed during and after the gig, you'll hear everything a lot better, and sound techs will literally love you.

[Jeremy Bender]

Great info guys! Thanks for responding.

[mkelley]

Depends: If I'm working with singer-songwriters who play acoustic, then their vocals and guitar are #1 in the mix. Bass is #2 and other guitars are #3. If I'm not using a rhythm watch/click, then I get my tempos based on what the singer is feeling that night.

I like wedges or stage sound if we're running fairly low volumes, in-ears if I'm playing louder.

[Trip McNealy]

When I play a gig, I only want the rhythm guitar and vocals and kick drum.


ditto here.

20202020

[slingerland755]

If you can get only thing in your mix... get the rhythm guitar. You'll have a much better sense of the song (than just getting bass or lead guitar) and chances are the timing will be easier to follow.

On songs where I don't use a click, I rely on the guitar player to keep me in line. :)

Bermuda

Nice tip. I'll remember that one.

[rockitman]

Those of you that are concerned with cost associated with a quality in-ear rig, look into Westone brand. I've used the same pair for the last 3 years and they do the trick. About 250-300 bucks will get you a solid set of dual driver ears. I ve done well over 250 shows and sessions with these. Dual drivers are necesarry for a full sound spectrum. Lows mids and highs are all very accesible with these type of in ear monitor. Additionally, like Bermuda, I run my mix through a Mackie 1202 at my side and have complete control. I like a regular stage mix of all instruments and vox with an emphasis on kick and snare. I mix Vox back, and guitars keys and bass in the middle volume level wise.
I keep the overall volume very low, this prevents the mix from being muddy or distorted.

Two final things on in ear monitors.
Keep them clean, do not let other people handle them. Germs can pass through your ear and it is sure way to become ill.

Finally, care for your ears. Even at low levels of volume, fatigue sets in quickly. Read up on the anatomy of the ear how it works and how best to protect your hearing.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

If you can get only thing in your mix... get the rhythm guitar. You'll have a much better sense of the song (than just getting bass or lead guitar) and chances are the timing will be easier to follow.

On songs where I don't use a click, I rely on the guitar player to keep me in line. :)

Bermuda

Absolutely agree with you on this one.

It always helps to have a good bassist though. One band I was in had a truly terrible bassist and sound guys would give me his bass mix assuming that's what I wanted. I wanted the guitar! It was VERY difficult to follow and ended up having to watch the guitarists arse and head to see how he moved ala Ringo Starr.

[Der Februar]

I like my bass drum and all the other instruments and vocals, all pretty loud. I like wedge, it seems weird and not as live if you're playing to in ear monitors, which are like earphones.

[k3ng]

I started off with wedges on my church stage. With my current jazz 3 piece though I'm not using monitors. I dunno, just doesn't seem necessary at the moment.

While I was doing mini concerts here and there with a pop group though I switched to in ears and will never go back to wedges. They're just so much better.
What I have in my ears are the rhythm guitar (agreeing with some of you guys on this. Rhythm guitar is definitely essential if you've got nothing else in), myself (to know how loud I am in the main mix) and the vocalist. It's a strange combination but I'm able to make myself blend better with everyone with this in my ear.

[matthew]

Great Thread!
I was going to make one like it but decided to search first ;D This thread answered all my questions.

I've gone and had musicians earplugs made for me (-25dB), and I agree I like vocals, lead guitar, and bass drum. That's it most of the time. Definitely no cymbals in the monitors, because tinnitus is already setting in for me...

Sure can't wait for my ear plugs.

[mrchattr]

I use a wedge for louder gigs, nothing for softer ones. I would love to go in-ear, but since we daisy chain our monitors, it's not really possible unless we got a full system, which can get really pricy.

I'm very picky about my monitor levels. I want rhythm guitar loudest, then lead guitar the next loudest (I do a lot of interaction with guitar during solos and stuff, so I need to hear it well to react). I want just enough vocal where I can hear the words, but I don't even want to know if our singer is on key...it's really just a guide to where we are in the arrangement. Finally, just enough bass to hear it in case there's a problem. We have a keyboardist/trumpet/additional guitar player, and I don't have her in the mix at all. I also leave out any harmony vocals, etc, unless I'm singing harmony...then I have that up pretty loud.

[shawnelsbernd]

Kudos my bro'. Gotta love technology, huh?

I recently took my kids to the circus (Barnum and Bailey's) and found myself paying most of my attention to the pit drummer (of course). From my vantage point, he was going with video sequencing too. Definitely had a video monitor so he could see close-ups of the acts so he could punch as needed.

Overall, I was really impressed. He pretty much played for an hour or so straight with a 15 minute intermission and then back to it for another half-hour or so. Not saying Al Yankovich is comparable to the circus (lol) but in terms of the drumming aspect, it seems as if the audio to visual connection defintely presides in both.

Good on ya'.

What city did you see the circus?

[Vipercussionist]

I would love to try the in-ear (Ultimate Ears) but they are way pricey.

So far, I've been stuck using the house wedges and or block-monitors.

My preference is vocals, and a level mix of guitars and bass. I hate leaving a show with my tinnitus clanging away so I usually make it a point to let the sound guy know to turn it down in my monitors...for some reason sound board ops around here think you want the levels on "11" all the time.

I do however, have in ear iPod headphones, which sound great for my mp3 player..if that is any indication of how in-ear monitors will be...I'm definitely going that route (eventually).
Even if the venue is huge, I HATE monitors and will only use one if I can't get close enough to the band's amps. I've been using earplugs for about 20 years now and I have NO trouble hearing my drums. If I absolutely HAVE to use a monitor I have yet to this day ever needed drums in the mix. If anything it'll be vocals and MAYBE a smidge of guitar, just to make sure I have the correct pitch to sing to.

I always figured the drums are loud enough on stage and if I ever got used to having a monitor that would mean suffering at shows with a hack soundman. Not to mention hauling around all the extra gear needed to run a separate monitor just for drums when it's just our gear.

I run my drums WIDE open . . . yes EVEN the kick drum which is a full double headed 24 or 26 inch (depending on which kit) is wide open! I don't see a need to muck that up with a soundman's interpretation of what he THINKS they are supposed to sound like in a monitor. The natural volume and tone are far superior to some of the mixes that I've been forced to deal with.
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Most respect the badge, but all fear the drum.

[3vil0n3]

I'm just getting into the IEM setup. I haven't even got my monitors ordered yet but soon.

I've got a few questions since I'm new to this whole setup. I'm sorry in advance if they are stupid.

How do you get all the signals back to a mixer by the drums? I assume this is just not possible with a smaller system but I wanted to ask?

Do you guys use compressors or limiters on your monitor mixes? If so, is this built into the mixer or separate?

[bojangleman]

well, i got a 12" Peavey speaker in my monitor...


naw...lol...most the time i dont even use monitors...but, we're about to start...

Alex

[DamoSyzygy]

In-ears for me, all the way.

On smaller stages, just a little bit of guitar, kick drum and vocals is enough.
For larger stages, a little of everything.

The only thing I dont like in my in-ears is snare drum.

[Drumsword]

I haven't had the $$ to buy in ears yet, but hopefully will be able to soon. Ocassionally I have to use earphones, and have to keep one ear free/open to hear myself, otherwise I feel
like I'm off time.

Now to the question, lol. In my mix, I have vocals, rhythm guitar and a little bass, very little keys if we are using them.

[Trip McNealy]

When I play a gig, I only want the rhythm guitar and vocals and kick drum.

Same here with just a smidgen of electric guitar, barely audible.